Isle politicians in conciliatory mood

With the elections over, officials expect the Legislature and the governor to build on compromise

After winning re-election with the largest margin of victory by an incumbent, Gov. Linda Lingle begins her second term with what she calls a mandate to work cooperatively with the majority party to get things done.

With election year politics now over, state Democratic Party Chairman Mike McCartney says he expects the same.

"It's time for us to go to work this legislative session, which means we've got to work with all of Hawaii -- Democrats, Republicans and independents," McCartney said. "We have a lot of important issues."

When the 2007 legislative session begins Jan. 17, Democrats will have the widest membership margin they've ever had under Republican Lingle: a 20-5 advantage in the Senate and a 43-8 majority in the House.

Political Power Points A look at the Senate and House leadership lineups for the 2007 legislative session that begins Jan. 17. Senate » President: Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua) » Vice President: Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D, Kalihi Valley-Halawa) » Majority Leader: Sen. Gary Hooser (D, Kauai-Niihau) » Majority Floor Leader: Sen. Shan Tsutsui (D, Wailuku-Kahului) » Minority Leader: Sen. Fred Hemmings (R, Lanikai-Waimanalo) » Minority Floor Leader: Sen. Paul Whalen (R, Milolii-Waimea) House » Speaker: Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say (D, St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise-Palolo Valley) » Vice Speaker: Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu (D, Waipahu-Waikele) » Majority Leader: Rep. Kirk Caldwell (D, Manoa) » Majority Floor Leader: Rep. Blake Oshiro (D, Aiea-Halawa) » Minority Leader: Rep. Lynn Finnegan (R, Mapunapuna-Foster Village) » Minority Floor Leader: Rep. Colleen Meyer (R, Laie-Kahaluu)

Despite the numbers, state GOP Chairman Sam Aiona said the minority will do its best to serve as a check on the Democrats.

"As the loyal opposition, it is our responsibility to make sure that bad legislation gets stopped and make sure the majority party doesn't pass any bad bills," Aiona said.

While Lingle maintained a firm grasp on her office, the same can't be said for leadership in the lower floors of the state Capitol.

Only House Speaker Calvin Say (D, St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise-Palolo Valley) maintained his leadership position. Across the rotunda, Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua), who almost rallied to win a seat in Congress, assumes the presidency from Sen. Robert Bunda.

The leadership shuffle also has led to new chairmen and women of the various legislative committees, particularly in the House, where many assume leadership posts for the first time.

Incoming House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell (D, Manoa) said the new blood already has led to one change.

Whereas in the past, the House and Senate each would craft a legislative package and then try to find areas of overlap, leadership agreed this year to work together from the start.

"I think there's going to be a real strong effort made to see if we can come up with a joint House-Senate package on issues that are going to impact working families in our state and make a difference now and in the future," Caldwell said.

Caldwell said he also has met with Linda Smith, Lingle's chief policy adviser, but was unable to get much detail on what proposals the administration plans to pursue.

Lingle has said little on what her agenda will include, saying she plans to save most of the details for her State of the State address on Jan. 22.

In her inaugural address, Lingle loosely outlined her goals of creating a "Hawaii Century" and restructuring the state's economy "from one that creates wealth through the buying and selling of land, to one that creates wealth through innovation and new ideas."

Her budget proposal is heavy on spending for education and social services, particularly programs to aid the homeless and for building more affordable housing.

"I think she's been pretty clear on what she wants to do," said University of Hawaii political scientist Neal Milner. "The homeless issue is a really interesting one because there are never a lot of votes there, but she feels strongly about it and she feels that she can do it.

"Low-cost housing and reforming education are probably the two stickiest issues in the state."

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Other stories to watch in 2007

Superferry

A mass transit system for Oahu isn't the only long-discussed transportation innovation that will be moving forward this year. If all goes to plan, the Hawaii Superferry will start plying isle waters in 2007.

Hawaii Superferry Inc. plans to operate two giant catamarans carrying 900 passengers and 250 vehicles between Oahu and Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. The ships will be able to travel 35 knots, or 40 mph.

In the past year, the company has overcome legal and funding hurdles and is moving full steam ahead to start daily ferry service from Oahu to Maui and Kauai in July. Daily service to the Big Island is expected to begin in 2009, according to the company.

Taxes

Tax refunds and tax relief will be the buzz words at the state Capitol and Honolulu Hale this year.

The state Constitution requires that the government return excess money to taxpayers if the general fund balance at the close of two consecutive fiscal years exceeds 5 percent of the general fund revenues, which has happened. But what form and how much the rebate will be is expected to be a hot topic this legislative session. Gov. Linda Lingle says she wants "substantial tax relief measures," but some key lawmakers have suggested that an increase in funding for public schools is in order.

At City Hall, big jumps in property assessments that were mailed in December has renewed calls for tax law changes to help homeowners who reside in the home being taxed.

UH-West Oahu

If the dream is real, the University of Hawaii at West Oahu will eventually attract up to 7,600 students to a $350 million campus.

UH-West Oahu will enroll its first freshman class this fall in rented classrooms in Kapolei.

The $170 million first phase of a new campus, financed in part by selling off land for developments, may also break ground. But the Legislature needs to fund about $35 million for infrastructure.

If it happens, dreams for the school -- on the drawing board for decades -- may finally come true.

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